Pupils of Hoërskool George Hofmeyr protested at the entrance to the school on 19 September and had a lot to say about their caregivers, the Department of Social Development’s (DSD) management skills or lack thereof and the overall conditions at their hostels.
Some caregivers were also on a go-slow because one of them was allegedly assaulted by a pupil after trying to confiscate liquor which is not allowed on the premises.
Ms Lindiwe Maseko, centre manager, said the girls were upset about water shortages occurring on and off from 4 September to 20 September.
“The municipality did dispatch water trucks to the school, but girls became rowdy because of the lack of basic sanitation and issues with caregivers and DSD’s management.
“The caregivers were apparently awaiting response from the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) before they would resume their duties.”
The Standerton Advertiser reached out to some of the girls and was told that water was not the main issue but that there was no supervision and that caregivers simply don’t care.
They alleged that some of them were assaulted by the caregivers as well as police officers on different occasions.
Girls also complained that 24 girls had to share one shower and due to the water shortage, toilets were blocked and they had to share two toilets as well.
“We were without any reason denied access to the JoJo tanks on the premises when we wanted to gather water to flush the toilets.
“We were also told that the kettle was not to be used to boil water when we wanted to clean ourselves.
“This has become a health hazard and the people that are supposed to look after us, turn a blind eye.”
According to them mice and rats in the hostels are also a concern.
Ms Maseko also noted and wrote down the points of concern and told girls that she was unaware of some of their grievances.
See below what some former ‘Georgies’ had to say about the situation at the school.
She said the hostels were previously the responsibility of the Department of Education, but has been governed by the Department of Social Development since 2014.
She then urged the Standerton Advertiser to forward any questions to Mr Ronnie Masilela at the Department of Social Development as all of the girls who protested stay in the hostels.
The Standerton Advertiser also spoke to the school principal, Ms Magda Kriel, who said she is aware of the problems pupils at the hostels are facing.
According to her, she did bring these matters to the attention of Ms Maseko, but even though she is the principal, she no longer has jurisdiction at the hostels governed by DSD.
Read the complete article in the next edition of the Standerton Advertiser.
